Janet Jean Roberts

It is with heavy hearts that the family of Janet Jean (McKay) Roberts announces her passing on Saturday, November 18, 2023, at Huntsville Hospital following a long, hard-fought, courageous battle with cancer. It would be wrong to say that Janet lost her battle because she never stopped fighting. Janet’s health was failing for years, and it was her joy for life and her spirit that kept her strong and determined.

 

Janet was born 89 years ago in Dorset, Ontario, the daughter of Hector and Marcella (Barry) McKay. Always a small-town girl, Janet was proud of her Dorset roots and heritage. Growing up she was surrounded by her extended family of grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. As a young bride, she moved to Huntsville, Ontario, where she lived most of her life. Janet always said her dream was to have children, and she started a family of her own when living near the Brunel Locks. 

 

Janet will be so sadly missed by her husband, Darcy Roberts, and her daughters, Wanda Sawyer and Darlene Sawyer; her siblings, brother Earl McKay (Marilyn Bennett), sister Susan Brady (Terry); and her granddaughters, Blair Douglas (Corey) and Sadie Ford (Miles Hanscombe). And her great-grandchildren, Nia Douglas, Ella Douglas, Bodhi Hanscombe, and Ava Douglas.

 

Family and friends will fondly remember her beautiful, cheery smile, warm hugs, kindness, and positive outlook. Janet was full of life and loved her family. They were most important to her, and time with family filled her heart as much as she did ours. She was a good friend to many, keeping in touch over the years with greeting cards covered with happy stickers and her emoji-filled messages sent from her iPad sidekick.

 

Brokenhearted, we have to say goodbye to our wife, mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend. Janet's bright light is now missing from our lives but will forever live on in our hearts and memories.

 

At her request, cremation has taken place and a celebration of life will be held at a later date.

 

In lieu of flowers, and if so inclined, donations to the Dorset Heritage Museum, Box 111, Dorset, ON, P0A IE0, would be a welcome tribute to Janet’s memory.